UP Academy Academic Overview (3)

FALL 2020
ACADEMICS
WHAT MAKES LEARNING DIFFERENT AT UP ACADEMY?
“Education is
not preparation
for life;
education is life
itself.”
― John Dewey
CURRICULUM
Unbound Potential Academy offers the progressive learning model; a flexible, personalized
curriculum tailored to the needs of each learner. Children learn more deeply when they are
asking the questions and engaging in their designed explorations in our hands-on, projectbased
environment. Children explore ideas, surroundings and manipulate and experiment
with tools and materials. They ask questions, follow their imagination, puzzle over their
findings, express their understandings and come to a deeper knowledge. Curriculum units will
be infused with auditory, reading/writing, visual and kinesthetic learning styles. Students will
also have the opportunity to experience community learning trips and STEM integration.
Teacher planned lessons, as well as an online learning portal, will be utilized to address the
needs of core content.
MULTI-AGE CLASS SETTING
UP Academy believes in multi-age classrooms. Social skills and peer relationships are
maximized with fluid environments based on strengths and weaknesses rather than age. This
model enables students to develop learning communities. Learners will embrace team building
and respect for one another's differences. Mentor teams will be developed to encourage
younger and older students to listen, affirm, set goals and hold each other accountable. There
is both a leader and a collaborator in every child.
GRADING
Learning opportunities will be referred to as
“pursuits”. As students master content,
reports will show missions accomplished! The
goal will be for students to close their
educational gaps and master skills they are
ready for, whether it be below, on ,or above
their current grade level. Students will
maintain portfolios throughout the study year,
in order to capture evidence of learning
throughout each pursuit.
TESTING
Students will take a norm- referenced tests
(ITBS) at the beginning of the study year in
order to develop a personalized starting point
in the learning mission and again at the end of
the study period to monitor growth and
learning. Progress reports from the learning
portal, portfolio and quarterly student- led
conferences will be utilized to maintain
accurate records of the students' present
levels of understanding. We stand apart from
schools focused on ranking and categorizing
children according to test scores. We define
education in terms of an interest in digging
deeper for answers. We measure success in
terms of intellectual rather than academic
ability.UP Academy strives to make learning
matter. Students will no longer learn concepts
to show mastery on a test, but see the
relevance of learning in everyday skills and
practices.
U N B O U N D P O T E N T I A L 3